Datura stramonium, known by the common name Jimson weed, belongs to nightshade family; its origin can be traced back to Mexico, it has also been grown in other regions including Nigeria. This plant possesses antimicrobial agents which aid in its efficacy for treatment of ailments. Hence, this study investigated the antibacterial activities and phytochemical screening of aqueous and methanol extract of leaves and seeds of Datura stramonium. Leaves and seeds of the plant sample were processed to obtain fractions of crude extracts which were used against bacterial isolates such as, E. coli, S. aureus, S. typhi and P. aeruginosa. Phytochemical screening of the samples was also done to detect the presence of alkaloid, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, tannin, terpenoids, sterol and phenols. Results obtained showed the susceptibility pattern against the bacterial isolates at concentrations ranging from 0.5 – 2.5 mg/mL. The methanol extract of leaves of the plant sample showed high susceptibility pattern against E. coli and S. typhi. The study shows that crude extracts of leaves and seed of the plant sample were effective against the test organisms. The phytochemicals constituents were also present except sterol which is lacking in the seed sample due to the solvent used such as ethanol but may be present if other solvent is used. Antibacterial activity of crude extracts of D. stramonium leaves and seeds were as a result of presence of phytochemical constituents because they are fundamental biomedicals, which are considered biologically to be active compounds.

This study investigates the production of bioethanol from cassava peels using the inherent isolated microorganisms. Cassava peels were collected from cassava processing unit in selected towns in Ekiti State. Microorganisms were isolated from the cassava peels by using pour plate method; the isolates were identified by different biochemical tests and molecular characterization. The bacterial isolates include, Sporosarcina terrae, Bacillus cereus, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas taiwanensis; while the fungal isolates include yeast (Wickerhamomyces rabaulensis), Rhizopus and Aspergillus niger. The entire bacterial isolates and A. niger tested positive to degradative test, while only W. rabaulensis tested positive to fermentation test. Four bacterial species were detected using 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence. High yields of the bioethanol was obtained using the combination of different inoculants, however the combination of B. cereus and W. rabaulensis produced the highest yield of 19.3 g/cm3 at a concentration of 38.6% and 17.7 g/cm3 at a concentration of 34.4% from 100g of cassava peels when distilled at 14 days and 21 days respectively. Yields of 562.31g/cm3 (67.0%) and 481.9g/cm3 (65%) of bioethanol were obtained from 5 kilograms (Kg) of cassava peels with a combination of B. cereus and W. rabaulensis and a combination of P. taiwanensis and W. rabaulensis respectively. The results of this study confirmed that bioethanol can be produced from cassava peels using the inherent isolated microorganisms as it is simple to produce, environmental friendly. and reliable therefore, healthy environment, wealth and energy generation from wastes (cassava peels) is assured in Ekiti State.

Ficus exasperata belongs to the family Moraceae, and is commonly called forest sand paper tree/plant, widely spread in all eco-regions of Nigeria. This plant possesses antimicrobial agents and pharmacological compounds which aid in its efficacy for treatment of ailments. Hence, this study investigated the antibacterial activities and phytochemical screening of aqueous and ethanolic extract of leaves and seeds of Ficus exasperata. Leaves and seeds of the plant sample were processed to obtain fractions of crude extracts which were used against bacterial isolates such as, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. Phytochemical screening of the samples was also done to detect the presence of alkaloid, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, tannin, terpenoids, sterol and phenols. Results obtained showed the susceptibility pattern against the bacterial isolates at concentrations ranging from 0.20 – 1.00 mg/mL. The ethanol extract of leaves of the plant sample showed high susceptibility pattern against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. coli and K. aerogenes. The study shows that crude extracts of leaves and seeds of the plant sample were effective against the test organisms. The phytochemicals constituents were also present except sterol which is lacking in the seed sample due to the solvent used such as ethanol but may be present if other solvent is used. Antibacterial activity of crude extracts of F. exasperata leaves and seeds were as a result of presence of phytochemical constituents because they are fundamental biomedicals, which are considered biologically to be active compounds. This study provides an insight to the usefulness of extracts from F. exasperata leaves and seeds to be potential treatment against common clinical diseases.

The antimicrobial activity of saponin extracted from Phyllanthus niruri was investigated on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to determine the structure spectra of the extracted purified saponin. The 13carbon NMR predicted on the basis of chemical shift that appeared in the resonances of 20 – 60 ppm gave a structure named Phylagenin-13-O-α-D-glucopyranoside and Phylagenin-25-O-β-D-glucopyra-noside. The susceptibility profile of MRSA determined by the agar-diffusion method showed that 97.0% and 90.0% of the test bacterium were resistant to Tetracycline and Cotrimoxazole respectively and 60% of the bacterium was susceptible to saponin extract. The ability of saponin extracted from P. niruri to treat clinical manifestation like chest congestion and skin desquamation from which S. aureus resistant to conventional antibiotics have been isolated has been confirmed in this study. The fact that this extract exerted an inhibitory effect on MRSA indicates that they can potentially be further developed into antimicrobial clinically used agents.